**A British archaeologist's team possibly located a second tomb belonging to King Thutmose II, just after the discovery of his first tomb, marking a monumental moment in Egyptian archaeology.**
**Discovery of a Second Tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II Sparks Excitement Among Archaeologists**
**Discovery of a Second Tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II Sparks Excitement Among Archaeologists**
**A potentially significant archaeological find may enhance our understanding of ancient Egyptian royalty.**
Archaeologists are buzzing with excitement as British researcher Dr. Piers Litherland believes his team may have unveiled a second tomb belonging to the ancient Egyptian ruler, King Thutmose II. This discovery comes on the heels of an announcement regarding the first tomb of a pharaoh found since Tutankhamun's tomb was uncovered more than a century ago.
Dr. Litherland shared with the Observer that he suspects this new site could contain the mummified remains of Thutmose II. He pointed out that the initial tomb might have been desecrated six years after its entombment due to a flood that necessitated the relocation of the royal burial.
The Second Tomb, as hypothesized by Litherland, lies beneath a significant man-made mound made of materials such as limestone, ash, and mud plaster, intended to blend with the natural landscape in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis, just outside of Luxor. The location of the first tomb was particularly unique, hidden behind a waterfall that succumbed to flooding.
During the search for the initial tomb, a posthumous inscription was discovered, suggesting that the body may have been moved to this potential second site by Thutmose II's spouse, Hatshepsut, who was both his wife and half-sister. After failed attempts to tunnel into the buried structure due to safety concerns, Dr. Litherland's team is opting to excavate the site by hand, hoping to uncover its secrets within approximately a month.
The initial tomb, located near royal women's burial sites, revealed lavish decorations unusual for regular burials, signifying its significance. One standout feature is the gleaming blue-painted ceiling adorned with yellow stars—a motif exclusive to the tombs of kings, according to Dr. Litherland.
Expressing his emotions about this groundbreaking discovery during an interview with the BBC's Newshour, Dr. Litherland described the overwhelming sensation that accompanies such unexpected finds, likening it to "extraordinary bewilderment."
Thutmose II, who ruled alongside Queen Hatshepsut, is historically significant as an ancestor of the famed Tutankhamun, whose reign is estimated to have taken place around 1493 to 1479 BC. British archaeologists previously located Tutankhamun's famous tomb in 1922, a find that revolutionized our understanding of ancient Egypt's grandeur.
Dr. Litherland shared with the Observer that he suspects this new site could contain the mummified remains of Thutmose II. He pointed out that the initial tomb might have been desecrated six years after its entombment due to a flood that necessitated the relocation of the royal burial.
The Second Tomb, as hypothesized by Litherland, lies beneath a significant man-made mound made of materials such as limestone, ash, and mud plaster, intended to blend with the natural landscape in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis, just outside of Luxor. The location of the first tomb was particularly unique, hidden behind a waterfall that succumbed to flooding.
During the search for the initial tomb, a posthumous inscription was discovered, suggesting that the body may have been moved to this potential second site by Thutmose II's spouse, Hatshepsut, who was both his wife and half-sister. After failed attempts to tunnel into the buried structure due to safety concerns, Dr. Litherland's team is opting to excavate the site by hand, hoping to uncover its secrets within approximately a month.
The initial tomb, located near royal women's burial sites, revealed lavish decorations unusual for regular burials, signifying its significance. One standout feature is the gleaming blue-painted ceiling adorned with yellow stars—a motif exclusive to the tombs of kings, according to Dr. Litherland.
Expressing his emotions about this groundbreaking discovery during an interview with the BBC's Newshour, Dr. Litherland described the overwhelming sensation that accompanies such unexpected finds, likening it to "extraordinary bewilderment."
Thutmose II, who ruled alongside Queen Hatshepsut, is historically significant as an ancestor of the famed Tutankhamun, whose reign is estimated to have taken place around 1493 to 1479 BC. British archaeologists previously located Tutankhamun's famous tomb in 1922, a find that revolutionized our understanding of ancient Egypt's grandeur.
